Susan Hickman

Susan (Wingard) Hickman of LaPorte, IN went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 9, 2026.

Susan was born in Kokomo, IN to Wendall and Helen Wingard in September 1940. At the young age of 11, Susan felt the passion for entrepreneurism and started cleaning homes for professors at Purdue University. Many of her clients were teachers of performing arts, and she was thrilled to be a regular guest at the University’s plays and musicals. Susan’s parents moved their family to several Indiana towns and finally settled down in Oklahoma. She later returned to Indiana after becoming a widow with three young children.

On April 7, 1962, Susan married James Lee Hickman and settled in LaPorte having lived in the same home until 2025. Susan and Jim enjoyed raising their family in a neighborhood where fellowship and children could grow and thrive. Susan took pleasure in hosting the families of the Circle, allowing the kids to play under watchful eye as the adults chatted and drank coffee. Once her youngest child was of school age, Susan utilized her fine-tuned coffee-clutch hosting skills to obtain a cafeteria position at Whirlpool. She later transitioned to LaPorte Hospital’s Dietary Department where she performed a variety of roles.

Susan was a member of First United Methodist Church in LaPorte and participated in the church ladies’ group. She was an advocate for child abuse prevention and was one of the founders of the church’s annual Blue Walk to Prevent Child Abuse, which began in 2012. After her retirement, she took up gardening and turned her yard into a beautiful array of florals and landscaping. One year, Susan's yard was chosen to be part of a garden walk because it was so nice and had such a variety of plants and flowers.

Susan’s talents extended into the kitchen, having perfected recipes including goulash, apple crisp, and cherry brandy- a trusted “cough medicine” among those lucky to try it. She was a great cook and found a way to make even the simplest recipes special. Susan was a patron of the LaPorte County Parks and Recreation Ceramics open studio time and greatly enjoyed this craft with her daughters and friends. Susan’s creativeness and nurturing spirit leaves an everlasting impression that will be cherished for the years to come.

Susan is survived by her children: Mary (Tim) Ford of Knox, IN; Brenda (Bruce) Zirzow of LaPorte, IN; and Steven (Tammi) Hickman of Franklin, IN; as well as daughter-in-law Peggy Knoll of Mustang, OK. Susan was a grandmother of 11, a great grandmother of 16, and a great- great-grandmother of 1, with another on the way. Her surviving siblings include Sherman Wingard, Donald Wingard, Mary Beth Harris, John Wingard, and Judy Thompson.

Preceding her in death were her parents Wendell and Helen; her husband of fifty-five years James “Jim” in July 2017; her children: William Knoll in March 2026 and Peggy Knoll in February 2025; and siblings: Julie Hinds and Debbie Gurley.

Family and friends may gather at Haverstock Funeral Home & Cremation Services (602 Maple Ave., LaPorte), om Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 12:00-2:00 P.M. A Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Time Ahlemeyer officiating. At Rest, Pine Lake Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church; 1225 Michigan Ave; LaPorte, IN 46350 or the donor’s choice.